Senior Director, Policy and Regulatory Affairs

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS); Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 152,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) seeks a Senior Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs to lead regulatory health policy initiatives and advise on physician payment, reimbursement, coding, and quality reporting. You will represent AAOS in meetings with medical societies, agencies, and external partners, shaping national orthopaedic policy.

You will supervise a health policy team, staff committees on coding and reimbursement, and develop member-facing communications and

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of relevant health policy experience.
• Extensive knowledge of Medicare physician payment systems.
• Strong analytical and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory health policy initiatives for AAOS.
• Advise on physician payment policy, reimbursement, and coding.
• Represent AAOS in meetings with stakeholders and federal agencies.
• Supervise policy analysts and reimbursement professionals.
• Develop member-facing policy communications and advocacy resources.

Skills

Health policy expertise

Medicare payment knowledge

Regulatory affairs

Stakeholder engagement

Project leadership

Team supervision

Policy communications

Education

Master’s degree

Job description

You are a strategic health policy leader who sees the story behind the regulation, the opportunity inside complexity, and the real impact policy decisions have on physicians and patients. You know physician payment, reimbursement, coding, quality, and regulatory affairs, but what sets you apart is your ability to connect the details to a bigger purpose. At AAOS, you can bring that expertise to a mission-driven organization where your work helps shape national conversations, strengthen advocacy, and support the future of musculoskeletal care.

If this sounds like you, please read on!

The Senior Director, Policy and Regulatory Affairs leads AAOS regulatory health policy initiatives and serves as a key advisor on physician payment policy, reimbursement, coding, quality reporting, and broader health policy issues impacting orthopaedic surgeons. This role represents AAOS in medical specialty society and stakeholder meetings, supports engagement with federal regulatory agencies, and works closely with internal teams, volunteer leaders, and external partners to advance AAOS policy priorities.

What You’ll Do

• Lead regulatory health policy initiatives on behalf of AAOS, with a focus on physician payment policy, reimbursement, coding, quality reporting measures, and alternative payment models.
• Analyze health policy issues of strategic importance to AAOS and partner with Government Relations leadership to develop policy positions, advocacy strategies, and related initiatives.
• Represent AAOS in medical specialty society meetings, stakeholder discussions, and meetings with federal regulatory agencies and other external partners.
• Manage AAOS involvement in the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee, AMA CPT Editorial Process, and American College of Surgeons Surgical Quality Alliance.
• Supervise and support a health policy team that includes policy analysts and coding and reimbursement professionals.
• Staff and support AAOS committees and workgroups focused on coding, coverage, reimbursement, health care systems, clinical quality, value, registries, and related advocacy priorities.
• Draft and review official AAOS comments to federal agencies, including HHS, CMS, AHRQ, CDC, and other regulatory bodies.
• Develop member-facing communications, educational content, articles, policy statements, and advocacy resources related to public and private health insurance payment issues.
• Build and maintain relationships with government officials, third-party carrier representatives, medical society leaders, staff, and other key stakeholders.
• Maintain historical records of AAOS policy positions and support development of the Policy Compendium.

Travel

• Up to 15 days of travel per year

Qualifications

Required:

• 7-10 years of relevant experience in health policy, physician payment policy, reimbursement, coding, or a closely related area.
• Extensive knowledge of the Medicare resource-based physician payment system and related regulatory processes.
• Strong understanding of health policy issues affecting physicians, medical specialty societies, and health care delivery.
• Excellent analytical, written communication, verbal communication, organizational, management, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience leading projects, managing competing priorities, and working independently in a deadline-driven environment.
• Supervisory experience and the ability to coach, develop, and support a high-performing team.
• Proficiency with common business applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and web-based research tools.

Desired

• Master’s degree.
• Experience staffing committees within a medical association, professional society, or health care policy organization.

Salary Range: $152,000-$168,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Please note: This hybrid position is based in Washington, DC and requires the ability to commute to the office at least twice per week. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future employer sponsorship. AAOS does not sponsor, and will not sponsor, applicants or employees for purposes of obtaining or maintaining work authorization.

JOB CODE: 1000173